Jim Thome has told friends that he could use the offseason to prepare himself to play first base once or twice a week next year. Thome agreed to a one-year deal to rejoin the Phillies yesterday, and Ryan Howard could miss the start of the season after rupturing his Achillies.

Olney knows of about "a dozen assistant-level executives" that have passed on interviewing for the Orioles' still vacant GM job.